Reverse gear whilst parked on decline
Discussion
Picked up my new (to me) 'ro today from a very decent chap via the classifieds.
After an enjoyable maiden drive home, I parked up on my driveway (which is on a slight decline).
I'm used to dropping a car into reverse once parked up in case of the dreaded unexpected roll forward / handbrake failure (it's happened to me once..) but I don't think the monaro will let me do that?
Is this accurate?
Easy answer is to reverse in and stick it in 1st or to shove it in the garage - but I've yet to make sure it fits!
04 VXR if it makes any difference to the box / linkage (I doubt it!)
Ta for any help.
After an enjoyable maiden drive home, I parked up on my driveway (which is on a slight decline).
I'm used to dropping a car into reverse once parked up in case of the dreaded unexpected roll forward / handbrake failure (it's happened to me once..) but I don't think the monaro will let me do that?
Is this accurate?
Easy answer is to reverse in and stick it in 1st or to shove it in the garage - but I've yet to make sure it fits!
04 VXR if it makes any difference to the box / linkage (I doubt it!)
Ta for any help.
Ta - engine off but didn't try rolling the car...or very hard at all to be honest.
I'll have another bash tomorrow now I know it's possible
It's this one :
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1513067.htm
Which, hopefully, is equally as good
I'll have another bash tomorrow now I know it's possible

It's this one :
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1513067.htm
Which, hopefully, is equally as good

I specifically wanted a standard one so happy to oblige 
I don't like the look of the stock exhaust / tips on the 04's but wouldn't want to change it as I also don't want more noise given it will be a daily driver - if only for my neighbours sanity early in the morning
This opinion may instantly revoke my forum posting rights though

I don't like the look of the stock exhaust / tips on the 04's but wouldn't want to change it as I also don't want more noise given it will be a daily driver - if only for my neighbours sanity early in the morning

This opinion may instantly revoke my forum posting rights though

eztiger said:
Picked up my new (to me) 'ro today from a very decent chap via the classifieds.
After an enjoyable maiden drive home, I parked up on my driveway (which is on a slight decline).
I'm used to dropping a car into reverse once parked up in case of the dreaded unexpected roll forward / handbrake failure (it's happened to me once..) but I don't think the monaro will let me do that?
Is this accurate?
Easy answer is to reverse in and stick it in 1st or to shove it in the garage - but I've yet to make sure it fits!
04 VXR if it makes any difference to the box / linkage (I doubt it!)
Ta for any help.
Why reverse ? Why not use first gear, which most people would do.After an enjoyable maiden drive home, I parked up on my driveway (which is on a slight decline).
I'm used to dropping a car into reverse once parked up in case of the dreaded unexpected roll forward / handbrake failure (it's happened to me once..) but I don't think the monaro will let me do that?
Is this accurate?
Easy answer is to reverse in and stick it in 1st or to shove it in the garage - but I've yet to make sure it fits!
04 VXR if it makes any difference to the box / linkage (I doubt it!)
Ta for any help.
Force of habit!
I guess there's no real reason? I would presume it would have to be one heck of a slope to let gravity turn the engine
I'll force myself out of the habit of need be, but it sounds like I should be able to slap it in reverse without the engine running.
I've always done reverse if the car is facing downhill and 1st if the car is facing uphill.
I guess there's no real reason? I would presume it would have to be one heck of a slope to let gravity turn the engine

I'll force myself out of the habit of need be, but it sounds like I should be able to slap it in reverse without the engine running.
I've always done reverse if the car is facing downhill and 1st if the car is facing uphill.
Edited by eztiger on Saturday 6th March 22:37
eztiger said:
Thanks - duly noted!
I didn't know the latter point - so I should adjust my habit accordingly anyway!
I'll be trying to squeeze it into the garage today so fingers crossed.
If it doesn't fit, do like I did. Knock a wall down, get a bigger garage door, and raise the drive to step level. If all else fails, buy a house with a bigger garage I didn't know the latter point - so I should adjust my habit accordingly anyway!
I'll be trying to squeeze it into the garage today so fingers crossed.

eztiger said:
Thanks - duly noted!
I didn't know the latter point - so I should adjust my habit accordingly anyway!
I'll be trying to squeeze it into the garage today so fingers crossed.
I didn't know the latter point - so I should adjust my habit accordingly anyway!
I'll be trying to squeeze it into the garage today so fingers crossed.
Nice choice of car mate, make sure you measure your garage first! IIRC the car is 15'8"x 6'6" (including mirrors)

If I was to park the car literally touching the rear wall I would have *just* enough room to also close the garage door.
Width isn't an issue as it's a double garage - just depth.
Sadly I only bought the house a few months ago, so ditching it on the ground of garage size wouldn't go down well with SWMBO
Extension, change of door or some other approach might work though! Something to investigate over the next few weeks.
I might try to drag myself along to one of the scottish meets sometime
Width isn't an issue as it's a double garage - just depth.
Sadly I only bought the house a few months ago, so ditching it on the ground of garage size wouldn't go down well with SWMBO

Extension, change of door or some other approach might work though! Something to investigate over the next few weeks.
I might try to drag myself along to one of the scottish meets sometime

eztiger said:
Fits in with reasonable margins for error if I park diagonally across the garage.
Some liberal use of a paint brush to mark up the walls for guidance later..and I think it should be fine with a bit of practice.
phew!
Some liberal use of a paint brush to mark up the walls for guidance later..and I think it should be fine with a bit of practice.
phew!
Friend of mine uses a cork hanging on a string. When it touches his rear window he's parked.

You could leave it in reverse but the ignition has to be on to operate the lock out solenoid and allow you to engage reverse. Once in reverse and the ignition off the solenoid spring will push it against the lever. It will come out of reverse but then not go back in until the ignition is turned on again. After ignition off there appears to be a delay of 10 seconds or so before the lock out operates, so you can still select reverse during this window.
I use 4th as it is 1:1, the gate defaults to the 3/4 plane and it typically goes in the easiest.
I use 4th as it is 1:1, the gate defaults to the 3/4 plane and it typically goes in the easiest.
THUNDER STORM said:
Hi eztiger, I have a 05 Ro VXR and you are correct to say the reverse gear cannot be selected with engine turned off.
If you must select reverse for parking, select before turning engine off.
Hope this helps you.
Ade
It does - thanks, good to know I wasn't missing something.If you must select reverse for parking, select before turning engine off.
Hope this helps you.
Ade

Though I think I'll take the advice offered and stick it in first if necessary.
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